Lily sat on the bench in the courthouse. Hushed whispers washed over her. Yet, she refused to pay them any heed. Her wounds had been healing nicely and the only evidence she had been in the field was the small scar on her cheek, her split lip, and the slight limp in her steps. 

Lily's eyes lifted as the doors opened and two police officers escorted Dylan inside. The girl let her eyes wander over his features. His eyes had dark bags beneath them and his gaze drooped. His steps were sluggish and he looked like he hadn't slept in days. His stressed glance met hers and he managed an attempt at a reassuring smile. 

As Dylan took his seat in the accused chair, he began to think over his life. Parts like the fire that resulted in his father's death, his capture and brainwashed with Viper Serum, and his murderous experience in Detriot. The young man wished he could still forget. Wished he still had amnesia. Call him selfish, but Dylan wanted anything other than living with a guilty conscience.

But then he thought of his mother, his friends, Lily and her amazing family. They had all been with him through his tough times. Dylann glanced to the man seated next to him. 

Duke Livingston. Mark's father. Best friends of Lily's mom, Alexis. Funny how their children had grown to be just as close as they were. Dylan was thankful to Duke who, after being filled in on what had happened, agreed to defend him in court. Duke's growing stubble and slightly greying hair did little to shadow the same determination and righteous light in his eyes that he shared with his son. 

Dylan sighed softly. Voices around him sounded like static. Time seemed to be near non-existent, though it flew like that. Dylan's head raised as the judge's thick voice pierced his thoughts. 

"Would the defence care to make a closing statement?" 

Dylan's blood ran cold. Had that much time flew by? He glanced to Duke. The older man's forehead was beaded thinly with sweat. His mesmerizing grey eyes burned with frustration. "Yes, your honour, thank you." He uttered, standing and walking around to the front of the room. He steps not faltering once. 

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Duke stands to face the audience. His expression grim. Dylan's hands tremble and he fumbles with them. What was he waiting for? The lawyer stands silent. His eyes seem to be distant as he scans the crowd robotics.  

"Mr. Lingston we're waiting." The judge speaks. "We're waiting." Duke blinks, seemingly coming out of the trance he was in. "Sorry, your honour." He turns his attention forward. "Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, forgive me if I seem distracted. I've been preoccupied of late with....questions of morality. Of right and wrong. Good and evil."

Duke takes a breath. "Sometimes the delineation between the two is a sharp line. Sometimes it's a blur. And often it's like pornography. You just know when you see it." 

There are a couple hushed whispers and slight chuckles across the room. Duke continues. "10 people are dead. I don't mean to make light of that but, these questions...these....questions, are vital ones. Because they tether us to each other. To humanity. Not everyone feels this way. Not everyone sees the sharp line. Only the blur." 

the court listens silently. Trying to understand where this was going. Duke Livingston takes a moment to breathe before continuing. "10 people are.....10 people are dead... And my client," He motions his hand to the young man. "Dylan Tanner....took their lives." He turns back to the court. "This not in dispute. It is a matter of record, Of fact." 

Lily's eyebrows furrow. She leans forward as her friend's father proceeds. "And facts have no moral judgement. They merely state what is. Not what we think of them. Not what we feel. They just are. What was in my client's heart when he took each life, whether he is a good man or....something different entirely, is irrelevant. These questions of good and evil, as important as they are, have no place in a court of law. Only the facts matter." 

The court remains silent. There is a solo cough once, but the room is, for the most part, silent. The respected layer resumes. "My client claims to have been under the effects of a mind controlling device. Mr. Houston's associates have refused to make a statement regarding these incidents. The only other witness," He looks to Lily, his grey eyes meeting her green ones. 

"A frightened young woman, has stated that my client was pleasant and friendly. And that she had witnessed Mr. Tanner's personality change first hand." Duke speaks, glancing around the room. "These are the facts. Based on these and these alone, the prosecution has failed to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that my client was not acting solely under the effects of a mind controlling device. And these, ladies and gentlemen of the jury, are the facts." Duke finishes, nodding. "Thank you."

As the court takes a recess, Lily stands in the corridor, her chest heaving in nervous, anxious anticipation. A hand rests on her shoulder and she flinches. "Hey." Mark murmurs, softening his hold on her. "Relax, it's me." 

Lily sighs softly. "Sorry, I'm just...." 

"Stressed?"

The dark haired boy holds both her shoulders. "Lily he'll be fine. My dad is the best lawyer there is." He reassures, holding the girl to his chest. "You're just saying that because he's your dad." Lily muttering into the soft fabric of his jacket. Mark chuckles softly. "No, I say it because it's true. He'll win the case. You'll see."

Lily hugs back finally, pressing her face deeper into Mark's chest, her fingers clutching the back of his shirt into fists. The boy leans in and presses a chaste kiss to her forehead. "Try not to worry so much."

Duke and Alexis watch the two from a distance. "They bring back so many memories don't they?" Duke asks, smiling fondly. Alexis grins playfully. "The memories of you being totally head over heels for me?" She teases. Duke shakes his head, a smile crossing his tired face. "I see my son has inherited that from me." Alexis smiles. "Mark's a lot like you, Duke. Caring, patient, good heart."

The brown-haired man chuckles. "Is it wrong for me to feel bad they didn't end up together?" He questions, half expecting no answer. The two parents watched as their kids interacted. Mark holds Lily close whispering something to her. Lily, in turn, cracks a smile. One of the first Alex had seen of her daughter in weeks. The woman smiles. "No, I see where you are coming from." 

Jack walks up to them, a solemn look on his face. "The jury has made their decision." He deadpans. The smiles of the two adults fall as Jack tell them the verdict. "Who's going to tell her?" Duke wonders aloud, nodding to Lily who is smiling a little, laughing at something Mark had said. 

"I will." Alex volunteers, a sigh leaving right after the words. To her, it feels like she volunteered as tribute for the hunger games. Duke pats her shoulder and gave her a sympathetic look. 

Lily looks up as her mother approaches. Her giggling smile falls at seeing the grim expression on her mother's face. 

"Is something wrong?" Mark asks, stepping closer to his best friend's side. judging from the worried face of the woman in front of them, it was anything but good news.  Alex inhaled a deep breath and looked to her daughter. "The jury made their decision." She pauses, studying their expressions before continuing. "They have decided to release Dylan."

A wave of relief washes over Lily, and it is evident in her face. "Really?" A tired yet relieved smile etches into her lips. Mark's features remain blank. if it were such good news, why was Alex's expression so hesitant and pitiful? They wouldn't just let him go without a catch. "But?" Mark urges. Alex rakes a hesitant hand through her hair. "But....on one condition. We have to erase the last three years from his memories."

There is silence. Then, "What?!" Lily explodes. "He just got his life back! He just recovered his memories and now you want to rip them from him again?!" Mark grabs her shoulders and turns her to face him. 

"Lily, listen to me." His eyes take in the forming tears and crushed hopes in her vibrant green eyes. His voice is smooth and calming as he spoke. "Either Dylan forgets about you and lives a happy, normal life of peace, or he has to live with countless regrets and guilt and spend the rest of his life rotting in an old prison cell."

Lily is speechless. Her throat closes up and her mouth dries. Mark was right. She had been selfish to want Dylan's memories back solely for the sake of him remembering her. If there was even a sliver of an opportunity for Dylan to be happy, she should take it.

Lily sighs and looks from her best freind, to her mother. 

"Let's do it." 

0_0 Are you shook yet?